... want to ask questions about some related tangent ...

[JSBae]

I came across two sentences.

“If anything is not clear, or you just want to ask questions about some related tangent or whatever, please feel free to do so.” (from

)

“It’s sort of precognitive, second nature,” he said. “Beyond the senses.” Gary stopped himself. “I’m going off on a spiritual tangent.” (from https://www.economist.com/1843/2024/02/02/the-last-stand-of-the-call-centre-worker)

The word tangent is used in both. But I can't figure out its meaning.

Please help me out.

Thank you.

 

[Tarheel]

I came across two sentences.

“If anything is not clear, or you just want to ask questions about some related MATTER or whatever, please feel free to do so.”

“It’s sort of precognitive, second nature,” he said. “Beyond the senses.” Gary stopped himself. “I’m going off on a spiritual JOURNEY.”

The word tangent is used in both. But I can't figure out its meaning.

Please help me out.

[......]

Two things. One, context is always important. Two, you must pay attention to speaker intent.

 

[Rover_KE]

I came across two sentences.

Welcome to the forum, JSBae.

Our rules stipulate that you must cite the source and author of any text you quote.

 

[JSBae]

Welcome to the forum, JSBae.

Our rules stipulate that you must cite the source and author of any text you quote.

I edited my thread. Thank you.

 

[SoothingDave]

What is the mathematical definition of a tangent? A line or plane that touches a curve at only one point.

To "go off on a tangent" is, by analogy, to start talking about something that has just a slight connection to the subject being discussed.

For example: almost every politician in the world when asked a question.